Local News

Citizens have until Monday to register to vote if they plan to vote in the upcoming local primary elections.Early voting will begin April 15 and run through April 30.The deadline to request an absentee ballot is April 25.Election Day is set for May 5.More information is available at bradleyelections.com.......

From TDOT: Interstate construction will be halted for Easter holiday travel across Tennessee.The Tennessee Department of Transportation says crews will stop all lane closure work beginning Thursday, April 2, at 6:00 p.m. through Monday, April 6, at 6:00 a.m.The move is intended to provide more roadway capacity during the busy holiday weekend.Some long-term lane closures will remain in place, and w...

From Local 3 News: Tennessee lawmakers are one step closer to banning the retail sale of nitrous oxide, commonly known as “laughing gas” or “whippets.”The Nitrous Oxide Abuse Prevention and Retail Sales Prohibition Act has passed both in the House and Senate. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Fred Atchley, R-Sevierville, and Sen. Richard Briggs, R-Knoxville, would prohibit retail sellers from off...

Cleveland City Schools responded to a bus accident that occurred near Buchanan Road and APD 40 yesterday. The release Read in part, “We are thankful to report that students on the bus were safe and unharmed. District staff responded and worked closely with emergency responders to assess the situation and support everyone involved.”There have been no reports of injuries or charges. ......

From Local 3 News: A Bradley Central High School student was cited after a firearm was found in their car on campus Monday, the Bradley County Sheriff's Office says.According to officials, the weapon was found during a routine check of the school parking lot by school personnel. The firearm was located in an occupied vehicle, and staff immediately notified School Resource Officers, who responded a...

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: The Tennessee General Assembly has approved new legislation aimed at strengthening penalties for child rape cases, sending the measure to the governor’s desk.House Bill 1454, sponsored by Rep. Greg Martin (R-Hixson), expands the aggravating circumstances under which prosecutors can pursue the death penalty for those convicted of raping a child."Two years ago, the Tenness...

From Local 3 News: Two Montgomery County, Tennessee, students are dead after a crash on Hwy 70 in Carroll County involving a TDOT dump truck, a school bus, and a passenger vehicle.The Tennessee Highway Patrol says the school bus, which NBC-affiliated station WSMV reported is from Kenwood Middle School, was returning from a field trip. 25 students, five adults were aboard the bus.Several others wer...

From Local 3 News: A man was arrested in Sweetwater who police say made threats to a local business and the Monroe County Justice Center.Damarcus Taylor was found by Brown Intermediate School's School Resource Officer (SRO) and an off-duty Sweetwater Police Officer on school property Thursday.The school was placed on a soft lockdown as a precaution.Taylor was taken into custody. Police found a sma...

Late Sunday afternoon, Cleveland City Schools was made aware of a social media threat directed at Cleveland Middle School. District administrators acted immediately, working in close coordination with the Cleveland Police Department to assess and respond to the situation.Law enforcement officials responded quickly. Police say a suspect has been identified and is currently in police custody.At this...

From Local 3 News: The Tennessee Board of Education has recommended that Hamilton County Schools create a corrective action plan to improve five county schools that received an “F” rating. One Polk County School received a failing grade for the past two years.Hamilton County SchoolsSchools received a failing grade because of these factors:UnderperformanceLeadership hiring decisionsBudgetingCurricu...

From Local 3 News: The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with Blood Assurance to host a community blood drive next month in Cleveland.The event is scheduled for April 6, 2026, from 1:00pm to 4:00pm, at 2290 Blythe Avenue SE.The sheriff’s office says the drive is aimed at helping meet ongoing blood supply needs and encouraging community members to donate. Both first-time and regular don...

From News Channel 9: A Cleveland assisted living facility co-owner is facing serious charges after a Bradley County Grand Jury returned an eight-count indictment.Investigators say Andrew Charles Sneed, a co-owner of Remember Me Senior Care, is accused of misusing millions of dollars over a six-year period.Court documents claim Sneed made more than 700-thousand dollars in unauthorized credit card c...

From Local 3 News: The school resource officer for Bradley County's Michigan Avenue Elementary School has created a program for kindergarten - 2nd graders that could be a real lifesaver.The students are learning to interact with first responders. Sheriff's deputies and emergency workers are teaching them the basics of making a 911 call.2nd grader Vander Vaughn said, “We are getting help from them,...

Bradley County Sheriff Steve Lawson says school safety efforts are expanding beyond campuses to include roadways across the county.In a social media post, the sheriff’s office says it will immediately increase patrols and enforcement in areas where residents have reported speeding concerns.Lawson is urging drivers, especially students, to slow down and warns that excessive speeding in school zones...

From Local 3 News: Tennessee Governor Bill Lee continued his America 250 Celebration, which includes visiting all 95 counties in the state.On Wednesday, March 25, Governor Lee made a stop in Meigs and McMinn counties. In Decatur, Tennessee, he visited the Meigs County Courthouse. There he was met with dozens of residents, greeted them and took pictures.His main message was a simple "thank you" to ...

From the Chattanoogan: MurMaid Mattress, a staple of the Tennessee Valley for nearly five decades, was recently spotlighted in Bed Times, the premier national magazine for the sleep products industry.The feature highlights the family-owned company’s successful evolution into a premium factory-direct manufacturer and its transition to a third generation of leadership.Founded in 1979 by Joy and Elme...

Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union’s annual Idea Leap Grant Competition is almost here.Voting for the People’s Choice finalists opens March 30th at 8 a.m. and runs through April 3rd at 5 p.m.Community members can vote online after watching semifinalist videos from each region.Small businesses are competing for a share of 225-thousand dollars in grant funding, with winners to be announced during...

The Bradley County Commission held a work session yesterday to review early budget discussions, hear committee updates, and take public comments.County Mayor D. Gary Davis said many department requests include significant increases, and he will move forward with a balanced budget using current and projected revenues. He also plans to include a salary increase for county employees.Commissioners dis...

The Cleveland City Council met yesterday, focusing on community initiatives, development, and infrastructure.City leaders proclaimed April 11th as World Parkinson’s Day in Cleveland.Officials say the designation is meant to raise awareness about Parkinson’s disease, which affects more than one million Americans and currently has no cure.The Cleveland Housing Authority also provided an update on lo...

High schools in McMinn County will begin using the CEIA Opengate weapons detection system starting Tuesday, March 24.School officials say the system is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen safety measures for both students and staff.With the new screening process, students are encouraged to allow a few extra minutes for arrival as the system is implemented.......