Local News

What’s being called the Appalachia Fire continues to burn on remote terrain in Polk County on U.S. Forest Service property near McFarland and the Hiwassee River.No structures are currently threatened in the wildfire, which has grown to more than 200 acres.Approximately 40 U.S. Forest Service wildland firefighters are working the fire using both ground and air resources.Officials say the fire was f...

From WSMV: The IRS is expanding tax relief efforts for Tennesseans impacted by January’s ice storm.Originally, only certain counties qualified for an extended filing deadline, but the relief now applies to all 95 counties across the state.If you missed yesterday’s deadline, you now have until June 8 to file federal individual and business tax returns and make payments.Those needing copies of previ...

From Fox 17: The Tennessee House has passed a bill that would ban the use, sale, and distribution of kratom.Kratom is a plant-based substance often sold as a supplement, but lawmakers say it carries serious health risks, including addiction and effects similar to opioids.The bill is named in honor of Matthew Davenport of Chattanooga, who died in 2024 after a deadly interaction between kratom and p...

From Local 3 News: A federal jury ruled that Live Nation and Ticketmaster violated antitrust laws, siding with Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti and a coalition of 33 states, according to the Office of the Tennessee Attorney General.After a five-week trial, jurors found the companies had unlawfully maintained monopoly power across the live event industry. limiting competition among tick...

Volkswagen says it is implementing a global cost-cutting and efficiency program that is affecting some salaried and administrative positions in its U.S. operations, including some jobs in Chattanooga.In a statement, Volkswagen said the restructuring is part of a broader effort at its core brand aimed at improving performance and reducing costs worldwide. The company emphasized that the changes app...

Today is the first day of Early Voting in Tennessee.Early voting for the State and County Primary Election runs through April 30th.Voters in Bradley County can cast ballots at four locations: the OCI on Urbane Road, the Bradley County Election Office on Broad Street, the Northeast Recreation Center on Berry Street, and the Bradley County Fire-Rescue Training Center on Dalton Pike.Early voting hour...

From Local 3 News: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is investigating allegations involving a Bradley County high school teacher at the request of District Attorney General Stephen Hatchett.Officials have not released additional information about the investigation.According to Bradley Central High School’s website, Lindsey Bell is listed as the school’s theatre teacher.Bradley County Sup...

The Cleveland City Council met yesterday and recognized a local athlete for her accomplishments.Lee University track and field athlete Aria Hawkins was honored as a nine-time All-American, with the city proclaiming April 13th as “Aria Hawkins Day.”Council members also highlighted the success of the recent Hot Slaw Festival, which brought large crowds and boosted local businesses.Dewayne Belew spok...

The Bradley County Commission met yesterday and heard updates from County Mayor Gary Davis.The mayor says recent wastewater rate increases from Ocoee Utilities were required by the state comptroller, following a rate study.He says the utility implemented the minimum required increase but may need to take on some debt in the future, while hoping continued growth will help offset costs.Commissioners...

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: A Tennessee bill that would expand a school voucher program that allows families to use public funds for private school tuition is advancing to the Senate.The Tennessee House has passed HB2532 following a lengthy floor session marked by multiple amendment votes and procedural changes.Lawmakers approved the bill Monday in a 52–43 vote, passing it as amended after adopting...

From TWU: Congressman Chuck Fleischmann visited Tennessee Wesleyan University last week to celebrate a two-and-a-half million dollar federal investment in campus improvements.The funding will go toward renovating the Fisher Hall of Science, including upgrades to classrooms, labs, and technology.University leaders say the project will help prepare students for careers in science, healthcare, and ed...

From News 12: A proposed Tennessee bill aims to close a loophole in truancy laws.Representative Kevin Raper of Bradley County says some students avoid consequences for excessive absences by transferring schools.The bill would require schools to share a student’s unexcused absences with their new school and report students who fail to re-enroll.Supporters say the change would improve accountability...

From News Channel 9: A jury has found a McMinn County man guilty in a deadly 2024 church arson in Athens.A police report says Kyle Jay Hickox set St. Mark AME Zion Church on fire and told a nearby college maintenance man that he was 'going to get God's water.'The report says a woman inside the church, Linda Buchanan, was killed at the hands of Hickox before the fire began.The church was deemed a t...

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: The Cleveland Police Department is sharing new details about an officer-involved shooting that resulted in the death of a 52-year-old man.Just after midnight on Friday, April 10, Cleveland police say officers responded to a call regarding an armed, intoxicated man at the Brooks Edge Apartments on Adkisson Drive.Callers reported that the man would not stop following two p...

From TN.gov: Eighty-four of Tennessee’s 95 counties recorded unemployment rates below five percent in January.Data shows unemployment increased in most counties compared to December.Williamson County had the lowest rate at 2.7 percent, while Perry County had the highest at 11.3 percent.Tennessee’s overall unemployment rate was 3.5 percent, remaining below the national average.In our local area:Bra...

Pilot Travel Centers is donating $10,000 dollars to Bradley County Schools following upgrades at its Pleasant Grove Road location.The money will help fund participation for 11 elementary schools in the Junior Achievement BizTown program.The program gives fifth-grade students hands-on experience with financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and workforce readiness.*Photo featured is not the Cleveland ...

From Local 3 News: CommonSpirit (formerly CHI Memorial Hospital) and Lifepoint Rehabilitation broke ground on a new inpatient rehab hospital on April 8, 2026.The new hospital will be located on Mountain View Road in Ooltewah, Tennessee, and it is slated to open next spring.CommonSpirit - Memorial Rehabilitation Hospital will provide care for adults experiencing a loss of function or disability due...

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: The Cleveland Police Department said foul play is not suspected in the death of an Ooltewah woman who went missing on April 1.The body of Patricia Nicole Hobbs was found in the back of a vehicle that had been towed on Sunday, April 5.Police state that North and South Towing had transported the car from the Valero gas station on South Lee Highway.The police department sai...

From News Channel 9: TBI agents are assisting federal authorities with an investigation at a dermatology office in Chattanooga.The office on Gunbarrel Road is linked to Dr. John Chung, who has faced past federal insurance fraud allegations.Nearby businesses say the office has appeared inactive, with limited activity over the years.Records show Dr. Chung recently agreed to pay more than $6 million ...

Three finalists have been selected in the search for the next president of Cleveland State Community College.They include Dr. John Davis of Germanna Community College in Virginia, Dr. James Ross, former president of Pamlico Community College, and Dr. Patricia Weaver of Pellissippi State Community College.Public interviews will be held on April 17, 20, and 21 at 10 a.m. at the George R. Johnson Cul...