From News Channel 9: Blood Assurance is offering e-gift cards next week to encourage more blood donations as platelet supplies remain critically low in the Chattanooga area.

From May 9th through May 15th, donors who give blood, platelets, or plasma will receive a 25-dollar e-gift card.

Eligible double red cell donors will receive a 40-dollar e-gift card.

Blood Assurance says donor turnout has remained lower than expected in recent weeks while hospital demand has stayed steady.

Officials say platelets are especially important for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and have a shelf life of only five days.

Blood Assurance is encouraging people to schedule a donation or visit a local donor center or blood drive as soon as possible.

Local high school graduation ceremonies will continue today and tomorrow.

Walker Valley High School held its graduation ceremony last night.
 
Cleveland High School will hold it’s ceremony, tonight at 6 p.m., in Raider Arena, with a traditional cap toss planned afterward on the football field.

Tennessee Christian Preparatory School will hold graduation on Saturday at 10 AM at Westmore Church of God.

Bradley Central High School will wrap up ceremonies Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. at Bear Stadium.

Officials are reminding attendees to check the weather and watch for updates from the schools on alternative weather locations. They also advise arriving early due to parking and seating limitations.

You can watch the ceremonies in their entirety on MixTV.TV!

From Local 3 News: Governor Bill Lee signed legislation expanding Tennessee’s Education Freedom Scholarship Program, increasing the number of scholarships available to students across the state.

Under the expansion, 35,000 scholarships will be available for the 2026-27 school year as Tennessee’s universal school choice program continues to grow in participation and demand.

“Long before I became Governor, I believed a quality education can change the trajectory of a child’s life,” said Gov. Lee. “I’m deeply grateful for the General Assembly’s partnership to expand the Education Freedom Scholarship Program and give more Tennessee families the opportunity to choose the learning environment that best fits their child’s unique needs.”

According to the Tennessee Department of Education, more than 56,000 families applied for the program for the upcoming school year. State officials said all 35,000 available scholarships are currently reserved and awaiting acceptance.

Officials also said 81% of newly awarded scholarships went to students who meet income eligibility requirements or qualify through the state’s Individualized Education Account or Education Savings Account programs.

More than 17,000 additional applications remain on a waitlist as families continue seeking openings in the program.

The governor’s office said the Education Freedom Scholarship Program saw a 99% renewal rate after its first year, with more than 300 schools registered to participate statewide.
Families can find more information on the program here.

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has signed into law a new U.S. House map that carves up a majority-Black district in Memphis, following approval of a controversial redistricting plan by both the House and Senate Thursday.

In response, the NAACP Tennessee State Conference filed a lawsuit on Thursday seeking to block the redistricting plan, arguing it unlawfully weakens Black political representation.
The organization says the changes threaten fundamental voting rights and democratic fairness.

“A democracy without Black representation is not a democracy. It is a direct attack on our democracy and our Constitution to dismantle majority-Black districts,” said Kristen Clarke, NAACP General Counsel.

This challenge sets the stage for a court battle over the state’s redistricting effort and its impact on representation ahead of future elections.

Here’s a breakdown of how Chattanooga-area lawmakers voted:

House

• Yes: Reps. Greg Martin, Cochran, Helton-Haynes, Howell and Rudder
• Present: Reps. Vital and Reneau.
  • I asked Rep. Vital why he voted present: "I didn't want to take a stand either way," he said in-part. "There are conservatives across this state, and they can win on principle, and the districts did not need to be changed, and so I didn't want to get into that fray."
  • Representative Reneau's spokesperson declined my request for an interview with her.
• No: Rep. Yusuf Hakeem

Senate

• Yes: Senators Todd Gardenhire and Bo Watson.
  • “Gardenhire told me Wednesday after bills passed through the Judiciary Committee he chairs, "I voted the way I did because I thought it was the best thing for the State of Tennessee.”

From News Channel 9 (Read the full story here): Protests broke out at the Tennessee Capitol in Nashville during a special session on a proposed congressional redistricting plan.

Lawmakers are working to redraw district lines across the state, including moving Rhea and Meigs counties from District 4 to District 3.

Demonstrators interrupted committee meetings, leading state troopers to clear a hearing room.

Senator Adam Lowe’s says while he welcomes Tennesseans to make their voices heard, he draws the line at what he described as an orchestrated demonstration. He said, "Honestly, folks hijack the moment for a good YouTube clip or something like that, or a good social media snap, and you could see that in committee today.”

The proposal has already passed initial committee votes and is expected to face final votes soon. 

From the Chattanoogan: The City of Cleveland will host an open house for the newly completed Jim Sharp Park on Friday, May 15, from noon to 7 p.m.

The park is located on Candies Lane Northwest and features walking paths, playground equipment, green space, and a stocked fishing pond.

City officials say the park honors the legacy of Jim Sharp and his contributions to the community.

The event will include free popcorn and small giveaways for attendees.

The park will be closed the following morning until 1 p.m. for maintenance.

From the Chattanoogan: Lee University has announced a new scholarship honoring longtime First Baptist Cleveland pastor Dr. Allan Lockerman.

The Dr. Allan Lockerman/First Baptist Church Scholarship will support students preparing for ministry and church service.

The scholarship was created in partnership with First Baptist Cleveland and recognizes Lockerman’s more than 20 years of leadership.

It will be awarded to junior or senior students who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership, and financial need.

School officials say the goal is to invest in the next generation of ministry leaders.

Cleveland City Schools is proud to announce that Taylor Bentley has been named the new Assistant Principal of Blythe-Bower Elementary School.

Bentley has served as a physical education teacher since 2019 and has been involved in health initiatives, budgeting, and attendance coordination.

He is a graduate of Lee University and was recently named Teacher of the Year for the 2024–2025 school year, along with receiving the Above and Beyond Award.

Bentley says he was drawn to Blythe-Bower because of its strong family atmosphere and focus on relationships.

He will begin his new role at the start of the upcoming school year.

From Local 3 News: The war in Iran has caused the average price per gallon of gasoline in Tennessee to reach $4 for the first time since 2022, according to AAA.

As of Monday, May 4, Tennessee’s average gas price is $4.03 per gallon, which is 18 cents higher than it was a month ago. It’s also $1.31 more expensive than it was one year ago, AAA said.

In the last week, Tennesseeans saw a $0.26 hike in gas prices.

"Another surge in crude oil prices due to the ongoing Iranian conflict and closure of the Strait of Hormuz is placing additional upward pressure on pump prices,” said AAA Auto Club Group spokeswoman Megan Cooper. “It's likely that drivers will continue to see increases in pump prices again this week."

The current average gas price in Chattanooga is $4.01, according to AAA. In addition, the current average price per gallon of diesel is $5.02.

AAA gives the following tips for residents to conserve gas:

• Combine errands to limit driving time.
• Drive conservatively. Avoid aggressive acceleration and speeding. This reduces fuel economy.
• Remove excess weight in your vehicle. Every 100 pounds can lower fuel economy by 1-2 percent.
• Shop around for the best gas prices in your community by using the AAA mobile app.
• Pay with cash. Some retailers charge more per gallon for customers who pay with a credit card.

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: The man who died in a shooting in southwest Bradley County is 62-year-old Michael Shannon Rymer, according to the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office.

Shots were fired between neighbors on Monday, May 4. One other person sustained injuries during the shooting.

It happened in the 3800 block of Lead Mine Valley Road SW.

The circumstances surrounding the shooting are still under investigation, BCSO says. Charges have not been filed.


PREVIOUS STORY: One person is dead after a shooting in Bradley County.

Deputies responded to a call in a southwest area of the county around 10:00pm on Monday, May 4.

The sheriff's office says the shooting involved neighbors.

One of the victims later died from their injuries.

Officials tell us there is no threat to the public and that everyone involved is cooperating.

Information is limited right now as the sheriff's office continues to investigate.

We'll keep you updated as we learn more.

In Bradley County, 4,537 people voted in the County Primary election. According to the Bradley County Election Commission, 5,791 people early voted in Bradley County and 91 people voted by absentee ballot. The total number of voters in the election was 10,419, which is a turnout of 12.91%. Bradley County has 80,731 registered voters.

In the Republican Primary, there were 9 contested races. Here are the results:

County Mayor
D. Gary Davis — 6,912 votes — 70.37%
Scott “Donut” Gilbert — 2,867 votes — 29.19%

County Commission District 2 Seat A
Louie Alford — 1,169 votes — 61.30%
Caleb Luzader — 735 votes — 38.54%

County Commission District 2 Seat B
Andrew Dinsmore — 805 votes — 42.30%
Terri Williams Murray — 864 votes — 45.40%
Jeremy L. Richards — 234 votes — 12.30%

County Commission District 3 Seat A
Tommy “Big Tom” Anderson — 399 votes — 36.84%
Milan M. Blake — 679 votes — 62.70%

County Commission District 4 Seat A
C.J. Davis — 323 votes — 19.98%
Josh Taylor — 1,291 votes — 79.84%

County Commission District 4 Seat B
Debra L. Gleason — 212 votes — 13.17%
Rich Kienlen — 672 votes — 41.74%
Melanie Dale Lawson — 606 votes — 37.64%
David Thomas Rickets — 117 votes — 7.27%

County Commission District 6 Seat B
Chad Dean — 455 votes — 35.57%
Tommy Ledford — 821 votes — 64.19%

Register of Deeds
Stacia Crye-Shahan — 1,976 votes — 20.57%
Mark Hall — 2,016 votes — 20.98%
Missy Johnson Mathews — 5,608 votes — 58.37%

Bradley County School Board District 4
Sandy Benson — 386 votes — 23.70%
Ashlan Morelock — 805 votes — 49.42%
Troy Weathers — 431 votes — 26.46%

Uncontested Races in the Republican Primary:

County Commission District 1 Seat A
Daniel E. Beaty — 1,648 votes — 98.80%

County Commission District 1 Seat B
Mike Hughes — 1,668 votes — 99.29%

County Commission District 3 Seat B
Denny H. Collins — 972 votes — 98.88%

County Commission District 5 Seat A
Bobby Goins — 467 votes — 97.70%

County Commission District 5 Seat B
Cindy Slater — 451 votes — 99.12%

County Commission District 6 Seat A
Tim Mason — 1,178 votes — 98.58%

County Commission District 7 Seat A
Rusty Asble — 967 votes — 99.49%

County Commission District 7 Seat B
Stephen R. Beasley — 980 votes — 99.59%

County Trustee
Tim Akins — 8,432 votes — 99.68%

Sheriff
Steve Lawson — 8,854 votes — 98.83%

Circuit Court Clerk
Gayla Harris Miller — 8,930 votes — 99.72%

County Clerk
Wanda Justice — 8,333 votes — 99.84%

Road Superintendent
Tom Collins — 8,612 votes — 99.51%

Bradley County School Board District 2
Vicki Beaty — 1,764 votes — 99.27%

Bradley County School Board District 6
Amanda Lee — 1,187 votes — 99.50%

Bradley County School Board District 7
F. Alan Smith — 998 votes — 99.40%

Constable District 1
Daren Brantley — 1,683 votes — 99.64%

Constable District 2
Johnny Stokes — 1,755 votes — 99.83%

Constable District 3
Jason Corum — 988 votes — 99.80%

Constable District 4
Wayne Henry — 1,538 votes — 99.55%

Constable District 6
Richard G. Burnette — 1,192 votes — 99.42%

Constable District 7
Tim Fowler — 974 votes — 99.69%

Cleveland City School Board At Large
Lyle Swartzel — 2,850 votes — 99.27%

Cleveland City School Board District 3
Andy Lay — 793 votes — 99.62%

Cleveland City School Board District 4
Tim Rader — 680 votes — 99.42%

Cleveland City School Board District 5
Mark Gravelle — 788 votes — 97.04%

In the Democratic Primary:
 
County Commission District 5 Seat A
Shady Hernandez — 68 votes — 97.14%

Hernandez will face incumbent Republican Bobby Goins in August.
 
Cleveland City School Board District 5 
Jodi Riggins — 67 votes — 100.00%

Riggins will face Republican Mark Gravelle in August.

Wcle would like to thank all the candidates and supporters who came out to celebrate Election Night 2026 at the Bradley County Courthouse. If you missed last night’s live coverage, you can watch it at mixtv.tv.

The Bradley County Commission met yesterday for a work session.

County Mayor Gary Davis had no report for the evening.

During commissioner reports, Commissioner Tim Mason shared photos of a recent property cleanup project funded by the commission, saying dozens of truckloads of debris were removed from the site.

Commissioners also recognized upcoming graduations and community milestones, including the retirement of longtime Bradley Central girls basketball coach Jason Reuter.

There were no items on the agenda for consideration.

During public comments, Bob Nipper invited the public to a Memorial Day celebration on May 25th at 11 a.m. at Waterville Baptist Church.

Another speaker, Todd Bills, continued raising concerns about landfill operations and finances, referencing contracts, state law, and revenue collection.

Commissioners discussed landfill-related funds and how they are used, including for cleanup efforts and capital projects.

The next Bradley County Commission meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 11th.

From Local 3 News: A student at Polk County High School was suspended on Monday, May 4, after an overheard comment indicated the student was planning to bring a weapon to school to harm another student, according to Director of Schools Dr. James R. Jones.

Jones said law enforcement, along with the Department of Homeland Security, is involved in the investigation.

Although officials said there was no immediate danger to students, the school noted it is working to keep the community informed in situations like this and remains committed to maintaining student safety.

McMinn County Schools has announced Jake Roberts as the new principal of McMinn County High School.

Roberts has been with the district since 2017 and brings 15 years of experience in education.

He has served as Athletic Director since 2022 and has also worked as an assistant football coach.

Roberts lives in McMinn County with his family and is active in the local community.

Local residents are being targeted by a scam text message that appears to come from General Sessions Court.

Officials say the message may claim you owe money for a traffic offense and may include a QR code for payment.

Authorities stress this is a scam and that courts do not request payment through text messages.

Residents are urged not to click links, scan codes, or send money.

Anyone receiving the message should delete it and contact the court directly using a verified phone number.

Lee University has awarded nine incoming freshmen the 2026 Rymer Scholarship.

Three students received Gold scholarships worth $20,000 each, including Olivia Chastain, John “Cason” Stewart, and Rylan Hysinger.

Three Silver scholarships worth $10,000 went to Carson Cannon, Isaac Sausville, and Emmaleigh Shaw.

Three Bronze scholarships worth $4,000 were awarded to Taylor Hoffman, Britain Sapp, and Jonathan Ronca Jr.

The scholarships recognize academic achievement, leadership, and service among local high school students.

All recipients will also receive a two-year housing stipend at Lee University.

From News Channel 9: Governor Bill Lee announced plans to call a special legislative session to review Tennessee’s congressional districts.

He says any changes must happen quickly to meet election qualifying deadlines.

Lee says the goal is to ensure districts reflect the will of Tennessee voters.

Tennessee currently has nine congressional districts, with Republicans holding eight seats.

The announcement follows a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down part of the Voting Rights Act and rejected Louisiana’s congressional map changes.

The special session is expected to begin tomorrow, Tuesday, May 5th.

From WATE: President Donald Trump says he spoke with Governor Bill Lee about redistricting Tennessee to add another Republican congressional seat.

Currently, eight of the state’s nine U.S. House seats are held by Republicans.

Trump says the change would correct what he calls an “issue with the current map.”

The conversation comes after Senator Marsha Blackburn called for lawmakers to redraw district lines.

The proposal is part of ongoing redistricting debates across the country, following a recent Supreme Court ruling.  

In a special called meeting on Thursday, the Tennessee Board of Regents appointed Dr. John M. Davis as the next president of Cleveland State Community College.

Dr. Davis currently serves as Vice President of Administrative Services at Germanna Community College in Virginia.

He has more than a decade of experience in higher education leadership and holds degrees from the College of William and Mary and Florida State University.

He will take over the role in June, succeeding former president Andy White and interim president Dr. Ray Brooks.

Dr. Davis says he looks forward to working with the college and the Cleveland community to move the institution forward.

Cleveland City Schools is proud to announce that Jordan Reeves will serve as the new Assistant Principal of E.L. Ross Elementary School.

 Reeves has been teaching fourth grade at Ross since 2023 and is known for building strong relationships with students and staff.

 She was recently named Cleveland City Schools District Teacher of the Year for 2025 to 2026 and received the Don Goff Innovation Award.

 School leaders say she brings a positive and supportive approach that will help strengthen the school’s culture.

 Reeves says she is honored to step into the role and looks forward to continuing to serve students, staff, and families.

 She will officially begin her new position this fall.

On Thursday, the Bradley County Board of Education approved a balanced $115.5 million budget to be submitted to the Bradley County Commission.

The proposed budget includes a 1.5% salary increase for employees and allocates $1.1 million for capital outlay, including building improvements and general maintenance.

The District is scheduled to present the budget during a County Commission hearing on May 11.
 
Final approval of the fiscal year 2027 budget is anticipated on June 29.

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: The Polk County School District says Benton Elementary School has addressed all the concerning plumbing and building conditions that landed them a low health inspection score and several violations.

Here are the repairs and improvements that maintenance crews have completed:

• Repaired plumbing leaks throughout the building
• Replaced damaged drain and vent pipes
• Installed new urinals and updated restroom fixtures
• Sealed unused fixtures in storage areas
• Installed new faucets to improve handwashing access

A recent inspection found that there was no longer a lingering sewage smell.

After concerns were raised earlier this spring, the district brought in specialists to conduct leak detection testing. They used vapor testing methods to find multiple hidden plumbing issues during spring break.

“These efforts helped locate issues in older piping, as well as areas behind walls and in less frequently used spaces.”

PCS says they remain committed to maintaining safe and functional facilities for all students and staff:

“Work at Benton Elementary will continue as needed, and the district will monitor conditions to ensure continued improvement. We appreciate the cooperation and support of our school community as these updates have been completed.”

Yet, commenters don’t seem to agree.

“It should never have been allowed to get to such a level of concern,” one commenter wrote. “Never, ever should there have to be a post expecting praise for addressing issues that should never have been allowed to happen to begin with.”



UPDATE: A follow-up inspection for Benton Elementary was completed on February 10.

This comes after health inspectors found outstanding risk violations, giving the school as low score of 68.
 
In the new report, it shows zero violations were found during the most recent visit. That is big improvement from the initial findings.

Previously, the inspection report cited 16 violations, pertaining to sewage odor, drainage issues, unsafe electrical wiring and more.
 
The report reads, "Spoke with maintenance on last two repairs needed. Maintenance estimates to have repairs done by end of the week."

We reached out to Polk County Superintendent, Dr. James Jones. He has not yet responded to our emails and calls.


 
PREVIOUS: A failing environmental health inspection has been circulating around the Benton Elementary School community, causing alarm for many parents and families.

The inspection, which took place on Wednesday, January 21, noted several violations, like:

• Exposed cracked piping and strong sewage odor in boys bathroom
• Kindergarten restroom overflowing when flushed
• Pre-K restroom with collapsing floor, greatly sinking in, cracking sound when standing on it
• Pooling, stagnant water in janitorial closet
• Several classrooms with tall bookshelves not secured to the walls or floors
• Missing tiles in classroom with subfloor exposed
• Numerous heavily damaged auditorium seats with rusted metal and wood splinters

From Local 3 News: The City of Athens Fire Department received a nearly $40,000 grant from Firehouse Subs to purchase new extrication tools.

The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation grant allowed the fire department to purchase a Hurst Spreader, Cutter, Ram, and accessories.

The City of Athens says these new tools will help with the fire department’s ability to respond to crashes and other rescue situations. They say these tools also protect responders from unnecessary risk during complex rescues.

Athens Fire Department received a $39,313 grant, part of the more than $107 million the Foundation has awarded across the U.S.

“We are extremely grateful to the Firehouse Subs® Public Safety Foundation and our local Firehouse Subs® restaurant in Athens, Tennessee, for this vital support,” said Fire Chief Brandon Ainsworth. “Having reliable, up-to-date equipment enhances our ability to protect lives and better serve our community.”

From Local 3 News: The 2026 State of the Schools in Bradley County highlighted the current state and the plan for the future in the school district.

Mission Possible was the theme at the annual meeting. Bradley County prides itself on providing more than just an education to its students.

Dr. Linda Cash, the Director of Schools for Bradley County, says, “I want people to know that education is about academics, but there's so much more that we allow our students to become by offering them opportunities.”

During last year’s school term, Bradley County High School graduates earned more than $20 million in scholarships. 794 students graduated from the district, making the graduation rate 98.1%.

Bradley County has advanced STEM and technology programs as well. 27 programs have been offered to students. Students have earned 1,163 industry credentials in the 2024-2025 school year, with 965 practicing credentials.

These are opportunities for students to pursue a higher education. Isabella Gonzales Soler is originally from Cuba. “I think it's a huge opportunity for us coming from other countries to have the opportunity to be here with everyone, meet people, and make connections with everyone for the future,” she says. Another student from a Spanish-speaking country, Angel Vivas, says, “I think for new students that come from, like, our same background, that come from different countries and everything, I think use all of the resources that you can get, because Bradley County Schools has a lot of resources.” Since immigrating to Bradley County, both have joined various clubs, learned English, and earned the US citizenship.
Science clubs, agriculture groups, academic organizations, athletic teams, and the arts were credited.

Dr. Cash says teachers and staff want to help every child achieve their goals. “Our whole mantra is to remove all barriers. If there's a barrier for our student, how do we take it away?,” she says.

The district has a Whole Child Support mission. More than 800,000 breakfast meals and 1.3 million lunch meals have been served in the district. More than $9.5 million dollars has been provided by Bradley County Schools for mental health grants for students as well.

From Cleveland Daily Banner (See Full Story Here): Cleveland Utilities customers could soon see lower internet bills.

Officials say the price of the one-year residential internet plan will drop from $69.99 to $67.99 per month starting in July.

Leaders believe the lower cost will encourage more customers to sign up or upgrade their plans, especially with faster speeds and improved Wi-Fi coverage.

Cleveland Utilities recently surpassed 3,000 fiber customers and expects that number to keep growing.

There is also good news for electric customers, as no rate increase is expected for that division in the upcoming fiscal year.

However, water and wastewater rates are expected to rise, with a projected 5 percent increase for water and 7 percent for wastewater.

Cleveland Utilities leaders also raised concerns about new state legislation that could prevent them from serving customers outside their current service area starting in September 2026. Officials say discussions are ongoing, with a one-year window to address the issue.

The utility also received national recognition, earning top awards for both reliability and safety from the American Public Power Association.