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TDCI and Tennessee AG issue joint statement about Winter Storm Fern
on February 4th, 2026
The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance and the State Attorney General have issued a joint statement about insurance claims following the recent winter storm that hit Middle Tennessee.They say their offices are committed to ensuring insurance companies fulfill legal obligations and treat policyholders fairly.Tennesseans affected by the storm are encouraged to file complaints if their in... Read More
BCSO to host blood drive with Blood Assurance on Feb. 9
on February 4th, 2026
The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office is hosting a community blood drive with Blood Assurance on February 9th.The event runs from noon to 4 p.m. at the Sheriff’s Office on Blythe Avenue SE. Walk-ins are welcome, and appointments can be made online at: bloodassurance.org/bradley.... Read More
"It's disappointing": Cigna Healthcare says CommonSpirit sought price increases, rejected current contract amid failed negotiation
on February 4th, 2026
From Local 3 News: Cigna Healthcare says CommonSpirit Health, formerly known as CHI Memorial, officially left its network on February 1st after contract negotiations failed.In a statement, Cigna called the decision “disappointing,” saying Memorial Hospital, now called CommonSpirit Health, already one of the most expensive hospital systems in the region, requested significant price increases that w... Read More
Tennessee lawmakers, DA look to ensure death penalty as option for child rape
on February 3rd, 2026
From News Channel 9: Some Tennessee lawmakers are aiming to put the death penalty on the table for those convicted of child rape, even after those behind a 2024 law intended that to be the case.It comes after a Signal Mountain man was convicted on dozens of charges related to the sexual assault of a child.According to court documents, Stephen Rapaport was indicted on 52 counts related to the assau... Read More
'Infrastructure challenges' blamed for failing health inspection score at Benton Elementary
on February 3rd, 2026
From Local 3 News: 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 bathroomKindergarten restroom overflowing when flushedPre-K restroom with collapsin... Read More
Gov. Lee delivers 2026 State of the State Address: “Tennessee: The Original Frontier”
on February 3rd, 2026
From Local 3 News: Tennessee Governor Bill Lee delivered his eighth and final State of the State address on Monday evening.In the address, Governor Lee presented budget and legislative priorities for the upcoming year to a joint session of the General Assembly and fellow Tennesseans.To read Governor Lee's full speech, click here.A Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget overview can be found here.Lee’s propose... Read More
Cleveland firm laying off 100 employees starting April 1
on February 2nd, 2026
From the Chattanoogan: A Cleveland firm, Danfoss Power Solutions, says it will lay off 100 employees between April 1 and October.The company has filed an official WARN Notice with the Tennessee Department of Labor.The plant is located at 1750 Hardeman Lane, and workers there are not part of a union or eligible for bumping rights.A state rapid response team has been notified to coordinate services ... Read More
Bradley County government offices closed Monday
on February 2nd, 2026
Bradley County Government offices will be closed today.City government offices will be on a 2-hour delay, opening at 10 am.Cleveland City, Bradley County, Polk County, McMinn County, Athens City, Meigs County, Rhea County, and Dayton City Schools are all closed today.All Cleveland State Campuses will also be closed today.... Read More
Cleveland community mourns death of Bradley Central student athlete
on February 2nd, 2026
From Local 3 News: A local community is in mourning after the unexpected death of a Bradley Central High School student on Friday, January 30.The high school announced Andrew Carroll's passing in a social media post. The Chattanooga Fire Department confirms it was due to a car crash.Carroll is described by his football team as being more than a teammate, but a competitor, a brother, and a young ma... Read More
Gov. Lee requests expedited disaster declaration for 23 counties
on January 30th, 2026
From TN.gov: Gov. Bill Lee has asked President Trump to approve a Major Disaster Declaration for 23 Tennessee counties impacted by Winter Storm Fern.The request seeks both FEMA Public Assistance and Individual Assistance to help with storm recovery.State officials say the expedited request is aimed at delivering federal resources quickly.If approved, FEMA aid would help families with housing, repa... Read More
Unemployment rates below 5% in nearly every Tennessee county
on January 30th, 2026
All but four Tennessee counties recorded unemployment rates below 5% in December, according to new state data.Ninety-one counties had jobless rates under 5 percent, and unemployment dropped in most areas from November.Williamson and Cheatham counties had the lowest rates at 2.6 percent.Maury County had the highest at 5.7 percent. In our local area:- Bradley’s unemployment rate came in at 3.5 perce... Read More
Cleveland PD Chief Mark Gibson delivers 2026 New Year's Message
on January 30th, 2026
Cleveland Police Chief Mark Gibson gave a New Year's Report to the Kiwanis Club yesterday.Chief Gibson said overall crime in Cleveland has decreased by 22% over the last three years.Gibson also reported a 100% homicide clearance rate since 2015.He credited the department’s new Criminal Intelligence Unit (CIU) with helping to solve cases faster and more efficiently.The CIU uses license plate reader... Read More
BCSO to host blood drive with Blood Assurance on Feb. 9
on January 29th, 2026
The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office is hosting a community blood drive with Blood Assurance on February 9th.The event runs from noon to 4 p.m. at the Sheriff’s Office on Blythe Avenue SE. Walk-ins are welcome, and appointments can be made online at: bloodassurance.org/bradley.... Read More
Knox County man charged with first-degree murder after body found in Ten Mile
on January 29th, 2026
From Local 3 News: A Knox County man has been charged with first-degree murder after a body was found in an abandoned structure in Ten Mile, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reports.On January 27, at the request of 9th Judicial District Attorney General Russell Johnson, TBI agents began investigating statements made by 24-year-old Zackary Lowe regarding a murder. During the investigatio... Read More
Cleveland firefighters quickly extinguish basement fire Wednesday night
on January 29th, 2026
From Local 3 News: Cleveland firefighters quickly knocked down a residential fire on Gaut Street on Wednesday, January 28.Crews arrived to find smoke coming from the home and determined the fire was located in the basement. Firefighters extinguished the blaze before it spread further.No injuries were reported, the Cleveland Fire Department says.As of 9:15pm Wednesday, both Gaut and 8th Streets NE ... Read More
Former Hamilton Co. teacher sentenced to 60 years following conviction of child sexual abuse
on January 29th, 2026
From Local 3 News: Duane Sanders' sentencing hearing3:42pm - Duane Sanders, the former Hamilton County Schools elementary teacher convicted of sexually abusing students, has been sentenced to 60 years in prison.Several of the victims' family members addressed him for one final time before he learned his fate. Principal of Wallace A Smith Elementary, Kelley Weiss, said during the hearing that the i... Read More
Lee University, City of Cleveland partner to celebrate Sousa’s Musical Legacy
on January 28th, 2026
From the Chattanoogan: Lee University will partner with Main Street Cleveland, Cleveland High School, and the Museum and Cultural Center at 5ive Points to honor the 120th anniversary of the John Philip Sousa Band’s performance, which took place in Cleveland, on Jan. 30, 1906. This concert is in recognition of the rich and long-standing heritage of fine instrumental music in the region. Due to inc... Read More
Blood Assurance offers $40 eGift Cards to donors
on January 28th, 2026
From the Chattanoogan: Blood Assurance officials said they have been forced to close donor centers and cancel multiple blood drives in Middle Tennessee due to icy conditions - including several school-based drives that would have resulted in hundreds of donations."With fewer opportunities to collect in those areas, we’re urging people to donate in areas where travel is safe," officials said. "Bloo... Read More
TBI activates hotline to support welfare checks after winter storm
on January 28th, 2026
From Local 3 News: State officials will be coordinating welfare checks on Tennesseans who have not been heard from since ice and snow from a winter storm knocked out power across the state amid dangerously low temperatures.The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has activated its statewide 800-TBI-FIND number to coordinate welfare check requests. Coming at the request of the Tennessee Emergency Mana... Read More
Volunteers needed for Barbara's Market in Cleveland
on January 28th, 2026
From Local 3 News: For those who want to help their neighbors, Barbara's Market in Cleveland is in need of volunteers. The organization provides food, clothing and hygiene items to Cleveland City Schools. Barbara's Market is named after Barbara Ector, a Cleveland City Schools educator who passed away last summer. "We're really thankful that we're able to assist our families in this way, and I thin... Read More
Apartment catches fire Sunday in Cleveland
on January 27th, 2026
From Local 3 News: An apartment caught fire Sunday in Cleveland, Tennessee. The fire broke out at an apartment on Stephens Road, according to the Cleveland Fire Department. Upon arrival, firefighters saw smoke coming from the building. Firefighters made an interior attack and contained the blaze to the unit. There were no injuries, according to the fire department. ... Read More
Cleveland's Long Range Transportation Plan draft focuses on congestion, safety
on January 27th, 2026
From Local 3 News: The City of Cleveland announced that a draft of the Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) has been completed. The Cleveland Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, Tennessee Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration are working together to complete the plan. According to the city, the LRTP is a "multimodal strategy and improvement program developed t... Read More
Cleveland City Council meeting recap
on January 27th, 2026
The Cleveland City Council met yesterday.The council approved the abandonment of an unopened right-of-way lying between Parker Street and Trunk Street. All surrounding property owners agreed to the abandonment. City staff and the planning commission both recommended approval, noting the land has never been improved and is better suited to be absorbed into adjacent parcels.The council also held a p... Read More
McMinn Co. deputy praised for heroic response to deadly crash after pursuit of stolen vehicle
on January 26th, 2026
From Local 3 News: McMinn County Sheriff Joe Guy is commending the bravery and efforts of one of his deputies who went above and beyond while responding to a fatal car crash after a chase on Highway 68.That crash happened shortly after Sweetwater Police lost sight of a "dangerous" suspect in a stolen truck on Friday, January 23.Deputy Kelby Liner responded to the area when he heard about the chase... Read More
