From Local 3 News: A state lawmaker from Smyrna is proposing new legislation aimed at lowering healthy grocery costs for Tennessee families. House Bill 2086, also known as the Fresh Food Affordability Act, would eliminate the state sales tax on fresh fruits and vegetables, a move supporters say could provide relief as many households continue to deal with rising food prices.Affordability remains a...  Read More

Cleveland City Schools is pleased to announce that Dr. Joel Barnes will return to the district office to serve as Supervisor of Special Populations.At the end of this school year, Dr. Barnes will transition from his role as Principal of Blythe-Bower Elementary School into the new district-level position.Dr. Barnes previously served as Supervisor of Federal Projects and Professional Development and...  Read More

The Bradley County Commission met yesterday and approved several key resolutions, including grant applications and budget items.Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution supporting upgrades to Bradley County Parks and the county’s application for the 2026 Community Development Block Grant.The commission also unanimously approved the 2026 Bradley County road list and a rezoning request for pr...  Read More

From Local 3 News: 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,...  Read More

Bradley County Trustee Mike Smith has released the schedule for the satellite property tax collection locations for the remainder of February.Smith says the satellite locations have been very popular with taxpayers, allowing property owners to pay their taxes closer to home without coming to the main office.To pay at a satellite location, taxpayers must have their tax statement along with a check....  Read More

From News 12: The Meigs County Commission is still working to determine the future of the county jail after it was decertified by the state in December due to overcrowding and other issues.Meigs County Mayor Eddie Jewell recently presented two possible options to commissioners. One proposal would expand the current jail by adding an additional pod.Another option would involve acquiring property fr...  Read More

From the Chattanoogan: Cleveland State Community College has announced a new five-year strategic plan aimed at strengthening student success and community partnerships.The plan, titled “Defining Our Tomorrow,” will guide the college from 2025 through 2030.College leaders say the plan was developed with input from faculty, staff, students, trustees, alumni, and community partners.It focuses on thre...  Read More

From Local 3 News: The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) has a free mobile clinic that offers primary care and other services.MobileMoc, a Medical Outreach Clinic, serves the following local counties.BledsoeBradleyGrundyHamiltonPolkMarionMcMinnMeigsRhea Sequatchie UTC describes MobileMoc as "a healthcare initiative by the University of Tennessee Chattanooga designed to bring interprofes...  Read More

From Local 3 News: A new Tennessee state park is coming to McDonald Farm, according to the Hamilton County Mayor's Office.Governor Bill Lee's proposed state budget includes $45.3 million to help transform more than 1,300 acres of the historic property into the state’s next great state park, Mayor Weston Wamp stated in a release:“Hamilton County has a unique opportunity to both preserve the iconic ...  Read More

From News Channel 9: A man has been charged with attempted second-degree murder following a shooting at a home in Charleston last week.Charleston Police say officers responded to a residence on Water Street after reports of a shooting.The suspect, identified as Dakota Dewayne Prueitt, was arrested at the scene.He is being held on a one-million-dollar bond.Police say the investigation is ongoing, a...  Read More

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: An attempted murder suspect is now in custody after a several-weeks-long manhunt in the Athens area.Officers arrested David Rodriguez Cruz on Friday, February 13, after a multi-agency operation within the City of Athens.Police Chief Fred Schultz says his arrest happened "without incident" after officers executed "established tactical and safety procedures." Nobody was in...  Read More

State Representative Dan Howell has announced new funding for Meigs County.Meigs County has been awarded $100,000 through the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s Site Development Grant program.The funding will support due diligence work at the Meigs County Industrial Park.Officials say the Site Development Grant program is part of the Rural Economic Opportunity Act, create...  Read More

Lee University has announced that Dr. Fijoy Johnson has taken on an expanded leadership role.Dr. Johnson is now serving as director of community and church relations.University officials say he has worked at Lee for 20 years in Campus Ministries and University Relations, and has already been actively involved in community engagement efforts.In his expanded role, Dr. Johnson will serve as a liaison...  Read More

From Local 3 News: New nonstop service from Chattanooga  to Fort Lauderdale is now underway.The Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport says Allegiant Airlines has officially launched direct flights to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.Airport officials say the new route gives local travelers direct access to South Florida and improved connections to dozens of destinations worldwide....  Read More

The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about an increase in scam calls from people posing as sheriff’s office employees.Officials say the scammers claim victims have missed jury duty or owe fines and demand immediate payment over the phone.The sheriff’s office says the scammers are spoofing the department’s phone number, making it appear on caller ID that the call is coming direc...  Read More

Cleveland High School has received a $10,000 grant to enhance its Tango Flight Program.The funding comes from the Bradley Cleveland Public Education Foundation and will support students interested in aviation and aerospace careers.The Tango Flight Program offers hands-on experience in aviation systems, flight operations, and aerospace technology.School officials say the grant will help expand curr...  Read More

From Local 3 News: "Your civil liberties should not be impeded by other people," says Representative Greg Martin (R) of the 26th District of Tennessee.Federal and state laws against those who disrupt a religious facility already exist. However, Representative Martin says House Bill 2264 would reiterate that.He created this bill after hearing about a situation that happened in another state that he...  Read More

From Local 3 News: An investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has resulted in the arrest of a now-former Tellico Plains police officer.Back in April 2025, the 10th Judicial District Attorney General Stephen Hatchett requested TBI investigate allegations involving 24-year-old Tellico Plains Police Officer Clayton Foxx.During the investigation, agents learned that Foxx engaged in sexu...  Read More

From News Channel 9: A former McMinn County private school principal has been sentenced in a sexual misconduct case that drew widespread attention.Jason Kennedy, the former principal at Liberty Christian Academy, was sentenced to five years after four charges were reduced to sexual battery.Court records show Kennedy must register as a sex offender for life.The case stems from allegations involving...  Read More

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) has launched a new campus safety app: Safe@UTC. The new app features quick safety tools for students and staff to feel at ease while on campus.Inside the Safe@UTC app, users have access to campus maps and parking, requests for rides from the UTC Police Department, or requests for monitoring your location when walking. Bret...  Read More

The Bradley County School Board met yesterday. Director of Schools Dr. Linda Cash highlighted several district accomplishments:Walker Valley High School held its first mock trial competition. Dr. Cash praised the students and staff and noted support from the District Attorney’s office.The board celebrated Ocoee Middle School Girls Wrestling state qualifiers. Six students placed at state, including...  Read More

The Cleveland City Council met yesterday.The council approved a resolution supporting a $25 million federal BUILD grant to help fund the Third Street Connector project. That project is estimated to cost more than $93 million, with federal and state funds expected to cover most of the cost. If awarded, construction could begin within a few years.Other Transportation updates included:Peerless Road w...  Read More

The Bradley County Commission met yesterday after several weeks of weather-related cancelations.Bradley County Mayor Gary Davis passed out a resolution for consideration at the next voting session. The resolution seeks approval to apply for a $1 million grant with a 17% county match to fund proposed turf projects at County recreation parks. If approved, the county could hear back on the grant in t...  Read More

From Local 3 News: UPDATE- Karen Martinez, 26, of Athens, Tennessee, has been found safe, police say.PREVIOUS STORY: The Athens, Tennessee, Police Department is searching for Karen Martinez, 26, who has been missing from Athens since late July 2025.Karen suffers from mental health issues, according to family members. She is 5'2", has short, curly black hair, brown eyes, and is blind in one eye, po...  Read More