Local News

Cleveland City Schools and the Cleveland Police Department are launching Tennessee’s first school bus stop-arm safety program.The district is partnering with BusPatrol to reduce illegal passings of stopped school buses and improve student safety.The program begins with a 30-day warning period starting this week. Ticketing will begin February 23.Drivers who fail to stop for a school bus with red li...

From Local 3 News: A 32-year-old man is wanted for attempted first degree murder after a stabbing at a neighborhood community in Athens, according to the Athens Police Department.Officers say his victim, whose identity has not been released yet, was hospitalized after the incident.David Rodriguez Cruz, 32, is not believed to still be in the immediate area, but the public is urged not to approach h...

Bradley County Sheriff Steve Lawson gave an update on the Sheriff’s Office and its future needs yesterday at the Kiwanis Club meeting. Sheriff Lawson highlighted improvements made since 2018, including new in-car cameras, body cameras for deputies and school resource officers, and an SRO now assigned to every elementary school.He also reported major upgrades at the county jail, which recently earn...

Cleveland City Schools has named Mike Chai as its new Director of Student Services.Chai currently serves as principal of Arnold Memorial Elementary School and is the longest-serving principal in the district.He began his career with Cleveland City Schools in 1995 and has served in a variety of roles, including instructional assistant, school counselor, assistant principal, and district student ser...

From Local 3 News: Southern states, including Tennessee and Georgia, are preparing for the upcoming strong winter storm this weekend. Both states have declared a state of emergency to help with emergency response."As forecasts continue to evolve, Georgians should be prepared for freezing precipitation that causes dangerous conditions and the potential for damage and power loss beginning Saturday,"...

Bradley County EMS announced today that it is now carrying CYANOKIT® (hydroxocobalamin) on select response units, adding an important treatment option for known or suspected cyanide poisoning.The addition strengthens the emergency response partnership between Bradley County EMS, Cleveland TN Fire Department, and Bradley County Fire and Rescue, improving care options for both civilian patients and ...

From Local 3 News: SPCA of Bradley County will be closed until Tuesday due to the forecasted winter weather this weekend. The closure is so the shelter can prepare for the weather with a deep clean. It will reopen Tuesday, January 27, 2026. ......

Local emergency officials are also closely monitoring Winter Storm Fern.Residents are urged to prepare for snow, ice, power outages, and hazardous roads. The Cleveland-Bradley Office of Emergency Management advises having a family emergency plan and signing up for local alerts by texting “JOIN CBCOEM” to 31002.The City of Athens says road crews will begin salting on Friday. Citizens can sign up fo...

From Local 3 News: People are already preparing for the winter storm heading to our area.It's important to stock up on items early, so you are not caught in the swarm of customers at the last minute.Some outdoor/indoor essential tools include:Salt/Kitty litterSnow shovelsHandwarmersFlashlightsBatteriesIce scrapers for vehiclesIf you plan on playing outside in the snow, or even removing it from you...

A Cleveland man has been arrested after allegedly threatening a Chattanooga judge, public defender, and police officer.Michael Pearson was taken into custody in Cleveland by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office and the 10th Judicial Drug Task Force. He is charged with one count of harassment and three counts of retaliation for past actions.An affidavit says Pearson sent threatening texts, includin...

The Bradley County Commission met yesterday.The Commission approved a resolution to move $110,897 in ARP funds from Ocoee Utilities to the Hiwassee Utility Commission for a water project. Ocoee Utilities was unable to use the funds, and the reallocation avoids restarting the funding process. The vote passed 12-0.Commissioners also approved reappointments to the Employee Safety Committee, including...

From News Channel 9: Some state lawmakers want to expand Tennessee's school voucher program amid what they describe as a rise in demand.The Tennessee Department of Education says they've received more than 50,000 applications so far after less than a week of availability.For context, House Speaker Cameron Sexton says 40,000 students applied last year. The state awarded scholarships to half of them...

From the Chattanoogan: Tennessee revenues exceeded budgeted estimates for the month of December. Department of Finance and Administration Commissioner Jim Bryson on Friday reported that total December tax revenues were $2 billion, $82.7 million more than the budgeted estimate and $116.5 million more than December 2024. The total tax growth rate for the month was 6.09 percent.General fund revenues ...

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: Cash, credit, and debit cards, backpacks, and a laptop were stolen in a spree of auto-burglaries.Unlocked vehicles in the Font Gate neighborhood in Ooltewah were targeted.In an affidavit obtained by Local 3 News, it reads that 24-year-old Khalil Sivels and his Black Acura were seen on security footage using stolen cards at multiple gas stations.Sivels spent over $70 on t...

Bradley Medical Center and Erlanger Health have signed a Letter of Intent to explore a partnership to expand pediatric emergency services.Bradley Medical Center says the goal is to strengthen ties with the Children’s Hospital at Erlanger and improve access to local care for families in Bradley and Polk Counties.The initiative could also lead to reopening 10 ER beds at Bradley Medical’s Westside ca...

Crews responded to a two-vehicle crash on I-75 southbound near mile marker 29 on Sunday.A pickup truck with a single adult occupant and an SUV carrying three passengers collided while traveling southbound, causing both vehicles to roll multiple times. The SUV came to rest on its top.Multiple agencies responded alongside Bradley County EMS, and the interstate was closed briefly to allow crews to sa...

Multiple agencies responded to a two-vehicle crash on Paul Huff Parkway in front of Lowe’s on Saturday. One vehicle landed on its side, trapping two adults inside the vehicle.Cleveland Fire crews were able to safely free them, and all individuals involved walked away without injuries.Officials say every person involved in the accident was wearing a seatbelt, which they say made a difference in the...

From Local 3 News: A home in Charleston, Tennessee is a complete loss after a fire Saturday afternoon, January 17. Crews responded to the scene just after 1:00pm, finding the home completely fully involved, with nothing left to save.Bradley County Fire and Rescue thanked all who responded to the scene:"Busy day today, and we’re incredibly thankful for our crews—both paid and volunteer—who stepped ...

The City of Cleveland has announced that federally required pipeline maintenance under Mouse Creek Road will begin this week.There are no safety issues, but the work is mandated by the Pipeline and the Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, and it must be completed by the end of January.Drivers can expect temporary lane closures and detour signage in the area.......

Bradley County Mayor Gary Davis delivered his annual State of the County address on Thursday.Mayor Davis reported an $11.4 million increase in the county’s net position and praised the finance department for receiving a clean audit with no findings. He said the county continues to operate with a strong 26% fund balance, well above the required 15%.He noted the county’s Double-A bond rating and hig...