Lee University has once again been ranked among the best universities in the South by the 2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings.

The school was ranked No. 37 among the "Best Regional Universities - South," a category that includes both public and private universities. It was also ranked No. 19 in the new "Top Private Schools" category.

Lee also appears in the "Best Value Schools" ranking at No. 14, the "Best Undergraduate Teaching" at No. 16, and the "Best Colleges for Veterans" at No. 21.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has denied a request to stop the scheduled execution of Christa Pike, the only woman on Tennessee’s death row.

Pike is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection on September 30. Read the full story HERE.

From Local 3 News: An 80-year-old Monroe County man has been sentenced to prison for child rape, according to the 10th Judicial District Attorney General.

Duane Freer Misener was found guilty of rape of a child and attempted rape of a child, officials say.

A judge sentenced Misener to 25 years in prison to be served at 100% for the child rape charge and 12 years in prison to be served at 30% for attempted child rape.

“The Defendant was over 80 years of age which played a factor in the sentencing decision,” the district attorney general said. “It is our sincere hope the conclusion of this matter brings some measure of peace and closure to the victim.”

Approximately 650 jobs at the Wacker polysilicon plant in Cleveland remain in jeopardy as the company waits for more certainty on U.S. trade policy. Read the full story HERE.

Safety Fest 2026 is coming to Cleveland this Saturday, September 26.

The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office says the free family event will run from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church on Stuart Road.

Safety Fest will feature fire safety demonstrations, inflatables, a petting zoo, children’s activities, fire trucks, safety games, and giveaways. Free food and ice cream will also be available.

Families can also receive free child safety seat and seatbelt checks and installations.

Schools attending the event will have a chance to win a $250 Amazon gift card and a school-wide ice cream party.

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute is officially moving to Birmingham Highway in Chattanooga and is expected to open in about 2030.

State officials announced that a replacement facility will be placed on a 49-acre lot along Birmingham Highway in the Lookout Valley area. It will be close to Interstate 24 and only miles from the current location.

The facility will be located at 1001 Birmingham Highway, previously home to Koch Foods.

The new hospital will hold up to 200 beds, which is 50 more than the current site.

State leaders say the design process will continue through 2027, and construction is slated to begin in early 2028. They expect the construction process to last about two and a half years.

The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and the Department of General Services searched for a new site for the hospital for more than three years.

Officials hope to complete the project within the original budget of $260 million, which the Tennessee General Assembly appropriated for the move in 2022.

The State Building Commission Executive Subcommittee approved the purchase of the Birmingham Highway land in August 2026, and the purchase was closed in September.

"Immediately, we are getting the architect in writing. It's a Chattanooga architectural firm here. They are starting the design right away. It will take about the next year to go through the design process. We will then pick a contractor ultimately. So in the end in the end, we think the facility should be finished by the summer of 2030,” explained Deputy Commissioner John Hull with Tennessee’s Department of General Services.

“Today’s announcement provides continuity for compassionate care and employment in what will be a modern 200-bed facility,” said Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly. “Simultaneously, our community can move forward with preserving the Moccasin Bend site, converting it into a landmark public historic park for all to honor and enjoy. This is an opportunity to right that past oversight while re-affirming the commitment of the facility to bring hope of recovery to individuals and families in need.”

Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute is currently located at 100 Moccasin Bend Rd. It is a psychiatric hospital serving 52 counties in East Tennessee, offering four psychiatric care units and two sub-acute care units. The hospital has 150 adult psychiatric beds. The institute was founded in Chattanooga in 1961. The Department of Mental Health says most patients have a severe and persistent mental illness. Patients are hospitalized involuntarily during emergencies.

"This building is no doubt state of the art when it was built and opened in 1961. We are a long way from 1961. A former boss of mine said your building is almost old enough for Social Security. It is very inadequate to meet the needs of our patients and staff, very inadequate. We have very limited space in the units, and space is something that you really need when you are treating acutely ill psychiatric patients. So, we could not be more excited about the fact that we will have a new, truly state-of-the-art building in just a few years,” said CEO Mary Young of Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute.

This move comes after a 2024 investigation revealed the current site cannot be expanded due to the presence of buried layers of historic materials.

“Moccasin Bend is both an important part of Hamilton County’s history and our future,” said Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp. “The leadership of state officials to build a new mental health hospital creates an opportunity to preserve more of Moccasin Bend and advance the long-standing vision for its place within the National Park System.”

Moccasin Bend is an archaeological site of nearly 956 acres, with historic artifacts dating back several centuries. It has become part of the National Park Service unit that includes the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park.

However, not every local official was in support of the announcement. Chattanooga City Council Member Chip Henderson spoke to Local 3 News after the project plans were announced.

" I am deeply disappointed in the fact that we are just now finding out about this project coming into the Lookout Valley community. The concerns that I have on the impact on the community, the fact that we were not engaged. It appears that all of this process was under the cloak of secrecy... That is not how democracy works… I have safety concerns about how it's going to affect the community. I have traffic concerns about how that's going to impact the community,” said Council Member Chip Henderson of District One on Wednesday.
Henderson shared he has already received phone calls and emails from residents with concerns.

"I have gotten a tremendous amount of calls and emails, obviously responses online to the media post that I made. There is great concern in the community. I'm not sure if they are going to just roll over,” said Henderson.

Hamilton County Commissioner Montrell Besley echoed Henderson’s concerns. The new location for Moccasin Bend would be in his district.

“I found out about this last night while I was attending the city council meeting. I was taken aback because nobody has talked to the current elected officials either in the city or county. I was taken by surprise. The community wasn't talked to or even considered in this matter. I am feeling like the district and the people continue to be out of the loop. The transparency is still missing. The community involvement is missing. For me and my district, I feel very disrespected. I know we always feel left out,” said Hamilton Commissioner Montrell Besley of District 11.

Both Besley and Henderson said they want to work together to hold community meetings with Lookout Valley neighbors, adding they are calling upon Tennessee’s Department of Mental Health Services and Substance Abuse Services Commissioner Marie Williams to speak with residents in the area about the project and address their concerns.

There are no meetings scheduled yet for the Lookout Valley area.

From Local 3 News: Bradley Central High School can soon expect an upgrade to its athletic facilities.

The district announced a $1.8 million project to replace and expand its running track to eight lanes. Field event areas will also be added, along with a turf infield. The money comes from the Bradley County Commission and will allow student-athletes to train, compete and host events in the future.

“We are beyond grateful for the support of the Bradley County Commission and our Board of Education in making this project possible,” Bradley Central Principal Patrick Spangler said. “The track is an investment in our students, our student-athletes, and the entire Bradley County community. It will give our students a great place to train and compete while creating a facility our community can be proud of for years to come.”

Baseline Sports Construction, LLC will design and build the project. A timeline for when construction would begin or finish was not specified.

Bradley County Schools says it still plans to move forward with a proposed middle school near Walker Valley High School despite the dispute over a proposed data center nearby.

As we reported yesterday, SDCL Tennessee Propco has filed a lawsuit against Bradley County over zoning regulations that restrict where data centers can be built.

The company is planning a large-scale data center called Project MidSpan on property behind Walker Valley High School. SDCL says it bought the property after receiving written confirmation that the zoning of the property allowed a data center.
 
Bradley County Schools owns property adjacent to Walker Valley High School where it has considered building a new middle school.

With the data center dispute now in litigation, WCLE’s Steve Hartline asked Director of Schools Dr. Linda Cash whether the school system still intends to move forward with the middle school plan.

Dr. Cash said, “We will, but we have no immediate plans to start the project.”

Mayor Gary Davis said on Monday that the County intends to defend the regulations passed in April that restrict a data center from being built within 3,000 feet of a school, residence, or church.

UPDATE: As we reported yesterday, SDCL Tennessee Propco is planning a large-scale data center called Project MidSpan behind Walker Valley High School.

SDCL has filed a lawsuit against Bradley County. The lawsuit challenges zoning changes approved by county commissioners in April that restrict where data centers can be built.

County Mayor Gary Davis says Bradley County intends to defend the regulations.

WCLE reached out to SDCL for comment. We received a statement which read in part, “We bought this land back in 2025, after the County told us in writing that the zoning allowed a data center. That's what Friday’s filing is about  — the county changed the rules last spring, and we don’t think it followed the process Tennessee law requires.

But this isn’t just about the legal side. We want to be a good neighbor here, especially to Walker Valley High School. That means we’re committed to being upfront about our plans, listening to concerns, and constructively working with local leaders.”

WCLE will keep you up to date on this story.



From Local 3 News: Bradley County Mayor D. Gary Davis told commissioners Monday that a New York-based developer has sued the county over data center regulations passed earlier this year — the same day the developers behind a separate proposed data center asked the City of Cleveland to pause the project.

The developer, SDCL, purchased 306 acres in the Hiwassee Industrial Park for Project Midspan in 2024. This property is only a five-minute drive from the proposed Project River site.

The data center would be placed directly behind Walker Valley High School, with the nearest proposed building being only 1,700 feet away.

Regulations established earlier this year required data centers to have a 3,000-foot setback from residential areas, schools and churches.

Bradley County Mayor Gary Davis stated:

“We didn’t adopt these regulations by accident. We adopted them because this community asked its county government to establish protections for large-scale data center development.”

SDCL is arguing that “the process required under Tennessee law was not followed in the County's April 2026 vote regarding data center regulations,” according to an email shared by Mayor Davis. They are now asking the courts to declare the April amendment invalid.

The company claims the only property that meets the county’s requirements is the landfill.

“At the April 20 meeting, a commissioner made a remark on the public record that the new rules make it ‘99.9% impossible’ to develop. We believe a rule with that effect goes beyond what a local government is permitted to adopt under Tennessee law, and our legal filing raises that question for the court to decide,” SDCL said in an email to Mayor Davis.

Family farm owners in Charleston, Tennessee, told Local 3 News in April 2026 they believed SDCL would be developing a data center on land behind their property. They discussed concerns that a data center could have negative impacts on the farm’s livestock and the family’s livelihood.

SDCL's website says the company has made "energy efficient investments in the UK, continental Europe, North America and Asia." Project Midspan’s mission is “To build the most water-efficient, quietest and well-screened data center campus in Tennessee, in a place the county already planned for industry, without a dollar of cost landing on local households.”

Developers of Project Midspan say they have no plans to draw water from the Hiwassee River.

The email sent to Mayor Davis by Executive Director Lolita Jackson states:

“We want to be the kind of neighbor Bradley County can count on: open about our plans, responsive to concerns, and a constructive partner to local leaders. Attached is an overview of Project Midspan and linked here are the answers to the questions we expect the community to ask. We value our relationship with the County and would welcome the chance to talk at your convenience.”

Project Midspan lawsuit against Bradley County: Download Here

Bradley County Schools will begin using weapons detection systems at Lake Forest Middle School and Ocoee Middle School soon after fall break.

The school system announced the new security measure in a letter to parents and guardians yesterday.

School officials say the systems are designed to identify potential threats before they enter the schools while allowing students to enter the buildings as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Middle school safety teams will be established and trained to help with the entry process, similar to procedures already being used at Bradley County high schools.

Staff members will be available to greet students and assist them as they enter.

Bradley County Schools says families will receive additional information about procedures and what students can expect as implementation gets closer.

Bradley Medical Center says it has reached an agreement that will put the hospital and Bradley Physician Services back in-network for UnitedHealthcare of Tennessee Commercial and ACA Exchange plans.

The agreement takes effect November 1st.

Hospital President and CEO Lisa Lovelace says the agreement will allow patients to receive care locally from their physicians and providers with in-network coverage.

Medicare Advantage coverage had already been restored earlier this year.

UnitedHealthcare members do not need to take any action to resume in-network care beginning November 1st.

Patients with questions about their coverage or a scheduled procedure can call Bradley Medical Center at 423-380-6361.

From Local 3 News: An investigation is underway after a Bradley County Jail inmate died on Sunday, September 20.

The inmate experienced a medical emergency at the Bradley County Jail and was treated by on-duty medical personnel and correctional staff.

He was then taken to a local hospital, where he later died, according to the sheriff’s office.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation identified the inmate as 30-year-old Bryant McDermott.

The TBI is now investigating to determine what caused his death.

The Cleveland Police Department will be offering free car seat safety checks this Thursday as part of National Child Passenger Safety Week.

Officers will be at PlayPalz Cleveland at 820 25th Street NW from 3pm until 5pm Thursday to make sure your car seat is correctly installed and fits your child.

Every car seat check earns you $4 off your visit to PlayPalz.

Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union’s 10th Idea Leap Grant Pitch Competition kicks off Friday, September 25, at 9 a.m.

In celebration of its 10th competition, TVFCU has increased the top prize in each region to $50,000 and the second-place prize to $20,000, for a total investment of $300,000 in area businesses.

Locally owned businesses with fewer than 25 employees can visit tvfcu.com/idealeap to review the complete eligibility requirements and to apply. Applications will be accepted until Monday, October 26, at 5 p.m.

From News Channel 9: A prominent environmental law group is urging Cleveland leaders to reject Project River, arguing the city doesn't have the legal authority to annex the main property for the proposed $11.3 billion development.

The Southern Environmental Law Center sent a nine-page letter Friday to Cleveland Mayor Kevin Brooks, the City Council and Municipal Planning Commission raising both legal and environmental objections to the proposed energy and data center campus. (Read the full letter at the end of this story).

The letter arrives as Cleveland prepares for a special Planning Commission meeting on Monday devoted to Project River.

SELC argues the approximately 850-acre parcel doesn't meet the requirements of the Tennessee law developers are using to seek annexation into Cleveland.

The property currently sits in Bradley County.

Earlier this year, Bradley County adopted restrictions on data centers that would make Project River difficult or impossible to build there as currently proposed.

Project River's developers are instead seeking to have the property annexed into Cleveland, where the city is developing a customized zoning ordinance known as PUD 77.

SELC argues the main parcel is not contiguous with Cleveland and largely falls outside the city's Urban Growth Boundary.

The group also contends the property fails three requirements under the state law being used for the annexation.

Among them, SELC says neighboring landowner Larry Ellis has a recorded easement through the Project River property to reach his farmland and has not consented to the annexation.

The group argues Tennessee case law recognizes that an easement holder can qualify as an owner for purposes of the state's annexation laws.

SELC also says nearby parcels being submitted for annexation don't establish the contiguity required by state law and cites neighbors who say the main tract isn't currently being provided water and sewer service.

"Because T.C.A. 6-58-118 is not satisfied, the City of Cleveland is not authorized to annex this parcel," SELC wrote.

The group then turns to the project itself.

Project River calls for an industrial campus along the Hiwassee River near Exit 33, including a 500-megawatt biomass plant and 1,000-megawatt natural gas plant intended to generate most of the power used on site.

Developers have said a large data center is the most likely customer, although they have not announced one.

SELC says the proposed biomass plant would be roughly five times larger than the country's largest existing biomass facility.

The group estimates it could consume enough timber to require harvesting the equivalent of up to 65,000 acres of trees each year.

Those are SELC's calculations, not figures supplied by Project River's developers.
The group also produced its own estimates of potential air pollution because developers have not yet released projected emissions for the campus.

SELC estimates the biomass and natural gas plants together could emit at least 8.5 million tons of carbon dioxide annually, along with more than 3,000 tons of nitrogen oxides and more than 800 tons of particulate matter.

Based on comparisons with federal emissions data, SELC says those levels could put Project River among Tennessee's largest stationary sources of several pollutants.

Project River's developers have previously described the planned campus as carbon-negative and say the biomass operation would make use of a regional timber supply hurt by pulp mill closures. The project's website says federal forest inventory data show annual forest growth within its sourcing area exceeds removals.

Noise is another point of disagreement.

Cleveland's proposed PUD 77 would cap noise at 60 decibels at the property line and require continuous monitoring.

But SELC points to developers' acknowledgment at a Sept. 1 public meeting that a sound study had not yet been completed.

The group says the combination of the data center, natural gas plant and biomass operation could create persistent noise for people living nearby.

Truck traffic also gets renewed scrutiny.

Developers previously estimated the biomass operation could generate as many as 548 logging-truck trips per day, while saying barges could take some of those trucks off local roads.

SELC questions how much of the timber could realistically arrive by barge and whether the Hiwassee River near the property can accommodate the proposed traffic without dredging or other work.

Cleveland's proposed rules would restrict log trucks to state highways and require the operator to make "commercially reasonable efforts" to move at least half its timber by means other than trucks.

The Wright family announced earlier this week that it would accept the city's proposed PUD requirements, subject to the final language.

Those requirements also call for a 500-foot data center setback, closed-loop cooling, at least 20% green space, continuous emissions monitoring for the biomass plant and no direct utility connection to the Hiwassee River. Project River's developers say the PUD would make those commitments legally enforceable against both them and future owners.

SELC also challenges some of the economic and technological claims surrounding the project.

Developers project 900 permanent jobs and say the campus could produce most of the process water it needs by recovering moisture from wood used by the biomass plant.
SELC questions both projections and says developers haven't demonstrated that the water-recovery system can work at the proposed scale.

The group's letter ends with a list of questions it wants city officials to put to developers, including how the $11.3 billion investment figure was calculated, how much financing has actually been secured, where millions of tons of timber would come from, how much water the campus would need and what air emissions developers themselves project.

SELC is asking both the Planning Commission and City Council to vote against annexing the property.

The Cleveland Planning Commission's special meeting on Project River is scheduled for Monday at 6 p.m. No vote is planned at that meeting. The city has previously said formal action isn't expected until October at the earliest.

Read the full letter from SELC to Cleveland & Bradley County leaders: Click Here

From the Chattanoogan: Two volunteer fire departments in Polk County are receiving state grants for new equipment and training.

State Representative Dan Howell and Senator Tom Hatcher announced West Polk Fire Department will receive $54,260, while East Polk Fire Department will receive $43,575.

The money comes through Tennessee’s Volunteer Firefighter Equipment and Training Grant Program.

The grants can be used for equipment including turnout gear, helmets, and thermal-imaging cameras, as well as firefighter training.

Howell says the equipment upgrades will help protect volunteer firefighters as they work to protect homes and businesses.

From Local 3 News: Three people were taken into custody following a car chase that started near the Frazier Community, according to the Rhea County Sheriff’s Office.

A deputy attempted to perform a traffic stop for a speeding pickup truck, only for the vehicle to accelerate and appeared to try and evade law enforcement. The pursuit that followed resulted in a crash near the Mark Anton Airport.

The driver of the truck then fled on foot and tried to conceal themselves in a field near the runway before surrendering. Officials identified the driver as Charles Gillespie, Jr.

He now faces eight charges, including outstanding warrant – felony violation of probation, felony reckless endangerment, evading arrest and more.

While officials were processing the scene, two family members arrived and tried to interferes with deputies. Both Robert and Heather Gillespie were also taken into custody as a result. Both are facing a count of disorderly conduct while Robert Gillespie also has two additional charges against him.

From Local 3 News: The Wright family is requesting that the City of Cleveland temporarily delay further action on Project River, which includes a proposed data center in Bradley County.

In a statement, the family says it wants to bring in a third-party team of technical experts to review every aspect of the project and address concerns raised through public engagement over the last few weeks.

The family says the decision is being made with the community’s best interest in mind.

The Wright family also says Project River could provide opportunities for thousands of local men and women to increase their wages and restore their careers following decades of stagnant pay and mill closures.

Project River is a proposed $11.3 billion industrial campus on 850 acres in Bradley County.
Read the full statement:

“The Wright family has lived, worked, worshiped, and raised children in Bradley County for generations. Nothing is more important to the Wright family than being a good neighbor. To that end, with the community’s best interest in mind, the Wright family has requested that the City of Cleveland temporarily delay further action on Project River until the Wright family can onboard a third-party team of technical experts to review every aspect of this project and address concerns raised through public engagement over the last few weeks. Project River gives hope to thousands of local men and women who see an opportunity to increase their wages and restore their careers after decades of stagnant pay and mill closures. They should not lose hope.” - The Wright Family.

How residents are reacting to the announcement:

Those against the proposal are reacting to the Wright Brothers' announcement as well. One Bradley County resident, Megan Phipps, tells Local 3 News:

"I'm overjoyed with the announcement, but I'm proceeding with cautious optimism. I absolutely believe our community impacted the developers' and the city officials' decision. This was a community effort. Even though we will celebrate this win this weekend, we know this isn't over, so if they think they're just going to wait us out, they've got another thing coming. We're not going anywhere. The city needs to answer to the people. We are the ones they are voted to represent. We said no. I hope they're listening. There are still several questions surrounding this project that we deserve answers to. For instance, why would the city remotely entertain this? Bradley County passed data center regulations to protect their people from the harms caused by data center development. These developers thought they'd just skirt their laws by jumping over the county line. No. The City of Cleveland needs to pass a moratorium on data center development and pass comprehensive regulations to make sure something like this never happens again. There has been a great deal of confusion about annexation with the Wright Brothers' properties. As of now, the annexation hearing on Sept. 28th is still scheduled. I don't think anyone in the county believes that annexation wasn't a ploy to leapfrog the rest of their properties into the city limits. The city needs to deny the annexation on the 28th for the 385 acres, and we need to continue to raise our voices to make sure they hear us loud and clear. No annexation. No data center. No Power Plant. Period."

From Local 3 News: A 25-year-old Bradley County man is facing rape of a child charges following a child sexual abuse investigation, according to the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office.

Detectives arrested Zachary Rodriguez of Cleveland on Thursday, September 17.

The investigation included executing a search warrant.

The case was then presented to a Bradley County Grand Jury on September 16. The grand jury returned true bills charging Rodriguez with three counts of rape of a child and one count of exploitation of a minor by electronic means.

Detectives took Rodriguez into custody, and he is being held on a $200,000 bond, according to the sheriff’s office.

The City of Cleveland says Monday night’s Planning Commission meeting will be held as scheduled, but commissioners will not take any votes or formal action on Project River, an $11.3 billion dollar industrial campus that would comprise of a biomass energy plant and a possible data center or another advanced manufacturing facility.

The meeting is set for Monday, September 21st at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Room of the Cleveland Municipal Building.

City leaders say they considered moving the meeting because of community interest and concerns about access, space, and participation.

After reviewing other locations, including the County Commission Meeting Room at the Bradley County Courthouse, officials determined the City Council Room remains the most appropriate location based on capacity, accessibility, logistics, and public safety.

The city has also revised the agenda so the Planning Commission will use Monday’s meeting for information-sharing only, with no decisions being made that evening.

For those unable to attend, Mix 104 will livestream the Planning Commission meeting on MixTV.tv beginning at 6:00 p.m.

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office says deputies arrested two family members connected to the drowning of a 7-year-old on July 13.

A Bradley County Grand Jury indicted Jean Marie Kell, 68, and Dennis Ray Page, 40, of Old Fort, Tennessee, on charges of felony murder and aggravated child abuse or neglect, according to a release from the sheriff.

BCSO says both individuals are related to the victim and were responsible for the care of the child at the time of the drowning.

The agency’s investigation began after first responders responded to a report of a 7-year-old child found in a pond at a private home in southeastern Bradley County.

Paramedics transported the child to a local hospital, where medical teams pronounced them dead.

Deputies arrested Kell and Page and booked them into the Bradley County Jail on a $150,000 bond.


PREVIOUS STORY: A child is dead after drowning in a pond in Bradley County on Monday afternoon.

The Bradley County Sheriff's Office says the child was found unresponsive in a pond around 2:30pm on July 13.

Emergency response began and the child was taken to a hospital, where they were pronounced dead.

Detectives are investigating the incident.

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: The wife of Forrest Preston, the 93-year-old founder of Life Care Centers of America, has been arrested and indicted on elderly neglect charges. She turned herself into the jail’s custody.

Kim Phuong Nguyen Preston, a caretaker who married the billionaire after his first wife’s death, was previously at the center of a years-long legal conservatorship battle.

Now, she is charged with:

• Neglect of an elderly adult
• Neglect of a vulnerable adult

Both the felony charges arose from the same incident with Forrest, which we are working to learn more about.

She had a $20,000 bond, according to District Attorney General Stephen Hatchett.

The Cleveland Police Department is investigating the incident.

We reached out to the attorney for Preston’s son, Aubrey, who is the sole conservator for his father. He responded with the statement below:

“Our client has become aware of the criminal indictment of his father’s wife, Kim Nguyen Preston. Aubrey Preston is grateful for law enforcement’s shared concern for Forrest Preston’s safety. At this time, he’ll have no further comment.” — Lance W. Pope, attorney for Aubrey B. Preston


PREVIOUS STORY: A family now has a resolution to a years-long battle over who, and how, the estate of Life Care Centers of America's founder Forrest Preston will be managed.
 
On Tuesday, Bradley County Chancery Court Chancellor Jerri Bryant told attorneys for both parties that she had reviewed the case's documentation as well as health-related assessments filed under seal.

According to the family, Preston's health has sharply declined following the death of his first wife in 2017, leading to concerns that his second wife, Kim Preston, may influence him and his business interests.

From the bench, Bryant ruled that under Tennessee law, Forrest Preston is disabled and in need of a conservator. She also ruled that Aubrey Preston should be the sole conservator.

The written order will be issued at a later date.

Aubrey Preston, conservator of Forrest L. Preston, said in an email to Local 3 News: “We’re grateful that the court looked at the facts of the situation and determined that a conservatorship is the right course of action to protect my father. This has been a difficult process, but it has always been about protecting Dad and helping him age with grace and dignity. This has also been about ensuring that Life Care and its sister company, Century Park, are protected for the future. More than 20,000 patients and families have entrusted us with their health and well-being, and more than 30,000 dedicated and hard-working associates depend on Life Care and Century Park. We’ve got an outstanding management team, and they’ll have the support they need. Our family is fully committed to caring for Dad and providing stewardship for the businesses in the months and years ahead.”

Life Care Centers of America President Todd Fletcher told Local 3 News: “As Life Care embarks on a new chapter, I’m honored to be part of this historic moment. Forrest Preston hired me in 1990, and for that I will always be grateful. On behalf of Life Care, Century Park, and our entire team of associates, we want to thank Aubrey Preston for his leadership and willingness to step in on behalf of his father. The future looks bright, and I look forward to working together with Aubrey to continue serving the mission and legacy that have made Life Care a leader in the industry.”


PREVIOUS STORY: A local family is sounding the alarm, accusing the wife of their wealthy father of taking advantage of him both financially and emotionally.

Forest Preston, the 91-year-old founder of Life Care Centers of America, has reportedly been suffering from physical and mental health issues, and his family is concerned that his current wife is exploiting him.

According to the family, Preston's health has sharply declined following the death of his first wife in 2017, leading to concerns that his second wife, Kim Preston, may influence him and his business interests.

Wednesday, the family will be in a Bradley County Court seeking emergency conservatorship, requesting that Aubrey Preston, his son, take control of Forest Preston's affairs, including his business. The family claims they are fearful that, should something happen to Forest Preston, his wife could gain control of his wealth and his healthcare empire.

Gary Patrick, the family's attorney, expressed the urgency of the situation.

“We're worried about the future of the business, his health, and what may happen if we don’t act quickly,” Patrick said. “Forest Preston built a multi-billion-dollar company, and we’re concerned that his wife could take over without any relevant experience.”

Forest Preston is best known as the founder and owner of Life Care Centers of America, a Cleveland-based operator of long-term elderly care facilities. According to Forbes, Preston’s net worth is estimated at $1.3 billion. Patrick describes Life Care Centers as “the largest privately owned healthcare facility in the country.”

However, Preston married his caretaker, Kim Preston, without his family’s knowledge, and it’s alleged that she has been isolating him from his relatives and making decisions about his business interests. Family members say this behavior is a red flag, especially since Kim Preston has no background in healthcare or business management.

In court documents, the family filed a complaint under the Tennessee Adult Protection Act, accusing Kim Preston of physical abuse. One alleged incident occurred during a business meeting, where Kim reportedly became angry with Forest Preston, raised her fist, and threatened to knock out one of his remaining teeth.

The family’s concerns extend beyond Preston’s health to the future of Life Care Centers of America. They’ve even discussed selling the company before Forest Preston’s passing to avoid complications with his wife taking control.

“We’re trying to make sure that the business continues to thrive and that Forest’s legacy is protected,” Patrick said.

Local  3 attempted to reach Forest and Kim Preston at their home for comment, but no one answered. The family’s attorney emphasized that the situation is urgent, as important votes and signatures are needed for the business to continue operating smoothly.

“We’re hoping this is resolved quickly so the business can continue to operate as it should,” Patrick said. “It’s crucial that this gets sorted out in the coming days.”

A total of 45 Halo Smart Sensors will be installed throughout McMinn County elementary and alternative schools.

Using air-quality and chemical-sensing technology, the sensors detect illicit substances used in schools. The installations come from a growing concern about students using Tobacco and THC.

The county says the sensors allow staff to respond quickly and quietly to incidents.

McMinn County Opioid Abatement Grant aims to reduce substance misuse and is funding the project.

"This funding allows us to take real, meaningful action toward the prevention of tobacco and substance use among our students — not just on school property, but as part of a healthier future for our entire community. Protecting our students today is one of the best investments we can make in McMinn County's tomorrow,” said School Safety Supervisor Justin Wallace.

According to the Halo Smart Sensor website, the sensors provide the following features:

• Differentiates normal vape products and THC.
• Provides real-time alerts and notifications.
• Recognizes tampering and masking of substances.

Schools are working alongside the McMinn County Health Department and McMinn County Juvenile Services to reduce youth substance use.

Bradley Medical Center, Vitruvian Health and Children’s Hospital at Erlanger have launched a new initiative for regional hospitals.

The Erlanger Children’s Pediatric Readiness Collaborative represents an effort to maintain a network of pediatric care for the region.

Through the program, hospitals can earn an Erlanger Children’s Seal of Excellence.

To do so, three pathways must be completed:

• Pediatric Emergency Ready (first phase)
• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Ready (second phase)
• Behavioral Health Ready (third phase)

Bradley Medical Center is the first location to complete a connection pathway and has received the Erlanger Children’s Seal of Excellence for Pediatric Emergency Ready.

"The Pediatric Readiness Collaborative gives community hospitals like Bradley Medical Center the training, protocols, and connection to our pediatric specialists to confidently stabilize and care for young patients close to home. This is about building a true regional network — so families never have to choose between fast care and the right care,” said Erlanger Health president and CEO Jim Coleman.

Erlanger Health says that to receive the recognition, community hospitals should exceed standards and make direct connections with Children’s Hospital physicians.

The Bradley County Board of Education has selected its officers for the new term.

Vicki Beaty was re-elected Chairman of the Board. Ted Bryson was also re-elected as Vice Chairman. Nancy Casson was also selected to continue as the board’s Tennessee Legislative Network Representative. Casson was also recently elected to represent Southeast Tennessee on the Board of the Tennessee School Boards Association.

The school board also approved a contract with Baseline Construction for improvements to the Bradley Central High School track. School officials say planning can now move forward on the project, which has also received support from the Bradley County Commission.

The board approved a design contract with Cope Architecture for a new pickup and drop-off loop at North Lee Elementary. The project is intended to move school traffic off nearby Sequoyah and Juanita streets and North Lee Highway. School officials say they are continuing to look for state funding to help pay for construction.

Ocoee Middle School could receive statewide recognition for its new facility. The board authorized Cope Architecture to submit the school for consideration for a Tennessee School Boards Association architectural and design award.